A CAMPAIGN has been launched to get a better funding deal for schools in North Yorkshire.

A gathering of primary school head teachers and governors gave their support to the campaign to change the national funding formula which puts schools in the county at a disadvantage.

Schools in North Yorkshire receive hundreds of pounds less per pupil than neighbouring urban authorities.

The campaign was launched at an education forum at the Scotch Corner Holiday Inn on Wednesday evening organised by the Richmond MP Rishi Sunak.

A petition calling on the government to introduce a new national funding formula to replace the existing “arbitrary and unfair” formula was launched at the forum.

He told the gathering of more than 60 heads and governors from schools in his constituency that the current funding formula used by government to distribute cash to schools was old and unfair.

It was based upon historic criteria that discriminated against rural areas - and he said there could be no justification for a formula which gave schools in Bradford or Middlesbrough about £400 per pupil more than North Yorkshire.

Mr Sunak said the government had earlier this year agreed to adjust the funding arrangement so that the county received an extra £10 million every year.

“But we can do better and should do better than that,” he said. “Even with this extra money, schools in our area still receive substantially less than schools in other parts of the country and that’s simply not fair.”

Rob Campbell, headteacher of the 63-pupil Ravensworth CE School, near Richmond, said he wholeheartedly supported the campaign.

“The current formula makes no allowance for the challenges small rural schools face such as mixed ability classes and I’m pleased our local MP is engaging with this issue and is eager to support rural schools like ours.”

At the conclusion of the forum, Mr Sunak urged those present to sign the petition and added: “This issue is so important and I urge you to add your voice to mine in trying to make our schools better. The government is listening and I am doing my best to bring about this change in Westminster but it is the cumulative impact of all our voices that will help make this happen.”

The Fair School Funding Campaign petition can be found on the MP’s website at www.rishisunak.com.